Barter Theatre
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The Barter Theatre, located in Abingdon, Virginia, opened on June 10, 1933. It is one of the longest running professional theatres in the nation. The original ticket price for a play was 35 cents. In 1933, when the country was in the middle of the Great Depression, most patrons were not able to pay the full ticket price. Robert Porterfield, founder of the theatre, offered admittance by letting the local people pay with food goods, hence the name "Barter". In 1946, the Barter Theatre was designated the State Theatre of Virginia.
Many well-known stars of stage, screen and television have launched their careers at the Barter, including Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, Patricia Neal, Ned Beatty, Hume Cronyn, Gary Collins, Jim Varney, Kevin Spacey and Larry Linville.
Today audiences are entertained year-round by the best in comedy, music, mystery, and new works.
